Community Catalyst, a national consumer health advocacy organization, has launched a web-based software program that allows users to “build” their own state legislation aimed at setting standards for patient financial assistance and free care laws. The introduction of the Patient Financial Assistance Act tool comes on the heels of a roundtable discussion sponsored by the Senate Finance Committee on the issue of not-for-profit hospital community benefits.
The tool was developed to address the fact that hospital standards for providing free or reduced care are vague, in particular for not-for-profit hospitals who seek tax-exempt status as charities. It is intended to help advocates understand the various components of financial assistance laws and provides important model language for strong state legislation.
The “build-a-bill” web tool allows users to select standards for various key components: from reporting and eligibility standards to publicity and billing and collections practices. Users can select among three different model acts, or they can customize their own legislation based on their own state circumstances. Access the tool.
